To which the master replied by telling all about the oxen. “Therefore, because he brought ruin into my house did I dismiss him.”
“Well,” replied Virgil, “this time thou didst get rid of an honest man and keep the knave. Now let us go and see to thy dead oxen.”
So they went apace to the spot where the dead oxen had all been thrown, where the whole eight lay unchanged, for decay had not come upon them, they were as sound as ever.
Then Virgil exclaimed, as he waved his wand:
“If ye are charmed, retake your breath!
If you’re bewitched, then wake from death!
Speak with a voice, and tell us why,
And who it was that made ye die!”
Then all the oxen came to life, and sang in chorus with human voices:
“Dorione slew us for revenge,
Because Gianni would not buy his oxen,
Truly they were greatly ornamented,
Yet withal were wretched, sorry cattle.
So he swore to be revenged upon him,
So he was revenged by witching us.”
“You have heard the whole truth,” said Virgil to the Emperor. “It is for you to condemn the culprit.”
“I condemn him to be at once put to death,” replied the Emperor. “Hast thou anything to add?”
“Yes,” said Virgil; “I condemn him to immediately become a goat after death.”